With Avengers: Endgame heading back to theaters on September 25 as Avengers Endgame: Encore, the hype for Avengers: Doomsday is already at full throttle. The highly anticipated film arrives in theaters on December 18, 2026, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and it is shaping up to be one of the biggest Marvel events in years. Now Disney has made it even easier to prepare by releasing an official list of 15 MCU films and shows to watch before Doomsday drops. Some picks are expected, a few are surprising, and all of them are worth revisiting.
Disney’s official list includes titles spanning the entire history of the MCU and even a couple from before it officially began. The lineup kicks off with X-Men (2000) and X2: X-Men United (2003), a nod to the multiverse threads that will clearly be central to Doomsday’s story. From there, the Infinity Saga is well represented with Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, with sources suggesting that the Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter storyline may play a bigger role in Doomsday than anyone expected. The Disney+ series Loki also makes the list, which makes perfect sense given how much groundwork it laid for the multiverse.
Rounding out the list are Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Deadpool and Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The multiverse-heavy films make total sense as prep given how central that concept appears to be to Doomsday’s plot, and the newer entries feature characters we know will show up when Doomsday arrives. It is also worth noting that Robert Downey Jr. is back in the MCU, this time stepping into the role of Doctor Doom, which alone makes this one of the most talked about Marvel films in a long time.
Disney+ is the easiest way to work through most of this list ahead of the December 18 premiere. And of course, if you want the full theatrical experience, grab tickets now for Avengers Endgame: Encore starting September 25, where you will also get an exclusive preview of Doomsday on the big screen. Are you planning to work through the full watch list before Avengers: Doomsday? Let us know in the comments below!
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